Tag Archives: review

== Handa-kun ==

Don’t expect:
Anything to make any sense
Heartfelt slice-of-life like Handa-kun‘s pre-sequel, Barakamon

I was recommended Handa-kun as another comedy similar to Sakamoto Desu Ga?but done better. Both follow the trope of a singular well-liked main character within a high school setting. However, Handa-kun differs itself from Sakamoto Desu Ga? in that the main character, Handa, is not actually that competent. All of his positive achievements are due to misunderstandings by his peers. As these misunderstandings spiral out of control, other people come to revere Handa while Handa himself becomes more and more convinced other hate him.

The level of misunderstanding becomes cult-like at a certain point and it was at this point I got a little uncomfortable with the series. However, Handa-kun was able to bring it around and actually develop character relationships, albeit not significantly, giving the sentence that is this 12 episode series a nice punctuation. The subtle nods to Handa’s original series, Barakamon, where we see him as an adult is fun since Barakamon is one of my favorite series to date.

Expect:
Fantasy high school romance.
Like an actual romance between two people.
Well animated and choreographed sword action.
OP MC, but more likeable than most.
An awesome transgender character (uncommon in Anime).
Tournament style fights.

Expect:
Action/adventure fantasy in a videogame setting
The same old lovable characters from Log Horizon 1st Season
New interesting characters to join the cast
Some previous central characters to take a backseat this time

Don’t expect:
As much politics as 1st Season
A complete seemless package like 1st Season

Expect:The title to be somewhat misleading. Not that much harem here.
Do-goodie main protagonist.
Decent action scenes.
Large sense of scale.
Videogame-like elements in a fantasy world.
Some blue ribbon for some reason or another idk.